TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute changing name to PianoTexas

Fort Worth, TX

1/31/2006

After nearly 25 years as the TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute, the celebrated event for gifted young talents, teachers, amateurs and local audiences devoted to hearing live, classical music, is undergoing a change of identity. Its new name is PianoTexas, International Academy & Festival.

PianoTexas is set for June 2-25, 2006 and will feature almost daily performances and master classes that are open to the public. Most events are held on the TCU campus.
An international lineup of guest artists will comprise this year’s faculty, including:


• Pianist Seymour Bernstein who maintains a private studio in Manhattan and teaches at New York University

• Andrea Bonatta, artistic director of the Feruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy
• Yakov Kasman, silver medalist in the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
• Minoru Nojima, silver medalist in the third Cliburn Competition
• Igor Resnianski, a distinguished graduate of the Novasibirsk State Conservatorium in Russia
• Christopher O’Riley, a young performer who is also host of National Public Radio’s From the Top
• Piotr Paleczny, an eminent Polish pianist
• Jeffrey Siegel, music director and conductor of the Mainly Mozart Festival in Arizona
• Janos Starker, noted cellist, who will coach three days of chamber music master classes

The TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute was created in 1981 by the university’s then-new faculty member, Hungarian-born pianist Tamás Ungár. Having seen the worldwide focus on hopeful professional pianists during the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Ungár believed the addition of an educational component was a natural fit. He invited talented piano students to come to the TCU campus each year for weeks of intense training, taught and mentored by faculty from the world’s finest conservatories. In 1991, Ungár opened up the curriculum to include an invitation to seasoned piano teachers anxious to boost their enthusiasm for the job. In 1996, Ungár developed an additional program for amateurs, defined as non-professional pianists who love music passionately while maintaining their livelihoods through other professions.

“For many years, June in Fort Worth, Texas, has held special significance to devotees of classical music,” according to Ungár. “Our community becomes 'Piano Town USA,' a fact that was even noted in a Southern Living magazine article. Local audiences welcome the chance to hear great music at our nightly concerts and are very supportive of the young people, teachers and adult amateurs.”

TCU School of Music piano faculty also will teach and perform, including Tamás Ungár (founder of PianoTexas), Cliburn gold medalist José Feghali, Harold Martina and John Owings.  Watch for more details, a complete schedule and ticket prices at www.pianotexas.org or phone 817-257-7456.

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